ASTM Might Slightly Raise Targeted Age in Gun Container Tests

The CPSA definition of children's products as intended for those up to 12 years old might be the basis for changing tests in the ASTM F2456 firearm container standard. It addresses youth access, but testing provisions currently consider up to age 11. CPSC staff wrote (bit.ly/46JuIWq) that they urged the change at a mid-February ASTM F15.53/F15.55 meeting, and they committed to reviewing human factors data for later discussion of making a change from 11 to 12.

Another potential change to the standard is widening the scope to include larger containers, possibly up to safe sizes. That could create a need to subject products to tip testing against opening. CPSC staff suggested that drop-testing would not suffice. On larger designs, some members also worried about exempting glass-front cases.

The range of surrogate firearms used in testing would need review if the scope were expanded to larger products.

Biometric features are a discussion topic for that standard and F2369 on firearm locks. A challenge is balancing lockouts after multiple scan failures against the risk of denied access in emergencies. The panel must decide if lockouts for biometrics is feasible but plans to keep that protection for more traditional access methods like keypads.